EP0361911B1

EP0361911B1 - Word processor with text layout display function

Info

Publication number: EP0361911B1
Application number: EP89309871A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tatsuya Shiraki; Makoto Kado
Original assignee: Sharp Corp
Current assignee: Sharp Corp
Priority date: 1988-09-30
Filing date: 1989-09-28
Publication date: 1996-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 2009-09-28
Also published as: DE68926767T2; EP0361911A2; EP0361911A3; DE68926767D1; JPH0293975A; JP2966420B2; US5151975A

Description

The present invention generally pertains to a word processor, and more particularly, to a word processor having the function to display a layout of text.
One typical arrangement of a word processor is that when character data is inputted from a keyboard, words corresponding to the thus inputted character data are read from a dictionary unit and displayed on a display unit. The display unit displays the words, wherein a part of input-allowable paper size generally serves as the input region because of its dimensional limitations. Under such circumstances, there are currently available word processor having functions to scale-down the display layout of the overall text and to affirm a particular input position in the text on another screen. When confirming the layout of text by utilizing this type of word processor, it is possible to display a format in which the text is inputted to a 1-page space by selecting a function which changes the screen to a text layout display screen. A word processor invested with such a frame edit function is arranged so that a text frame is partioned into a plurality of regions, and attributes such as character input and graphic image input can be set in each region.
The above-described frame edit function is intended to effect editing operations in one block units defined by a given range within the input region.
Disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. SHO 57(1982)-60380, titled "WORD PROCESSOR", is a word processor comprising a means for setting a frame conceived as a character input region and a means for processing the characters within the input region set by the setting means. This word processor does not possess the function which allows display on the same screen, the ultimate layout of text (as it will appear on paper after printing) at the same time as text is input from the keyboard to the screen.
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. SHO 56(1981)-103762, titled "LISTING SYSTEM", there is stated a listing system for properly arraying the input characters in a plurality of regions partioned lengthwise and crosswise by ruled lines. In this listing system, however, there is not mentioned a system for displaying non-inputting text and a layout thereof on the same screen simultaneously.
In one embodiment of the word processing system disclosed in United States Specification No. 4,451,900, a graphical representation of a full page of text can be displayed at the same time as a selected portion of the page. Characters may be represented by dots in the full page, with the actual text shown in the selected portion.
The following problems are inherent in the foregoing word processing systems.

(1) The input screen must be changed to the layout display screen when confirming the layout of a text in the midst of input, and hence it is impossible to confirm the text layout while inputting the text but also the degree to which a character string is inputted within the text layout on the same screen.
(2) If a text frame defined as an outer frame of the text layout is split into a plurality of regions, it is impossible to affirm both a specific region within the text frame, to which the now-inputting characters and images correspond, and the specific number of sentences that are being inputted to the divided frame regions respectively.
(3) When setting different kinds of attributes (a character input, an image input, a graphic input and input prohibition) in the divided frame regions, the attributes have to be set by individually selecting the frame regions. Hence, much labour is required for setting the attributes.
(4) When confirming the attributes set in the respective frame regions, each frame region has to be called and examined separately. A good deal of labour is therefore needed for confirming the attributes.
(5) Where the text frame is split into a plurality of regions, and if character strings inputted to a single frame region are in excess of this frame region, the excessive character strings are automatically fed to the next predetermined frame region (a region to which the characters can be inputted). As a result, it is not possible to select an input destination, which involves the steps of, for instance, effecting a format change for the excessive character strings and re-inputting them to the frame region in the midst of input.

The present invention as defined in claim 1 is directed at a word processor with a page layout display facility, comprising display frame storage means for storing a plurality of display frames; format storage means for storing a plurality of text formats; input means for entering data; means for retrieving a display frame from the display frame storage means; means for selecting a text format; and display means for displaying the display frame, and an input area with a cursor therein. According to the invention the word processor comprises dictionary means for storing a plurality of words; readout means for accessing dictionary means to obtain words for display, corresponding to character data entered by the input means; conversion means for sequentially converting the words into symbols; and control means for concurrently displaying the words in the input area, and said symbols in the display frame in accordance with a selected text format.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the word processor comprises means for dividing the display frame into a plurality of frame regions; and means for selecting a frame region such that a selected frame region is concurrently displayable in the input area and within the display frame. Means may be provided for displaying a second cursor in a selected frame region in a position corresponding to that of the cursor in the input area. The word processor may also include means for assigning attributes to a selected frame region, which attributes denote a type of data for display therein and an identifying pattern may be displayed in a frame region according to attributes assigned thereto.
In another embodiment of the invention, means are provided for detecting when the maximum text capacity of a selected frame region is reached and for changing the text format of the frame region or selecting another frame region such that further text data input is displayable.
Attributes used in the present invention imply processing modes set in the frame regions and more specifically include the modes such as a character input, an image input, a graphic input and input prohibition.
Based on the construction of the invention, the input region and the text frame are displayed on the same screen, and the text displayed in the input region is also displayed in the form of symbol strings in the text frame. With this arrangement, the sentences can be inputted while confirming the layout of the text, and the amount of the inputted sentences can be confirmed by the amount of the symbol strings.
The text frame may be split into a plurality of frame regions, and any one of the divided frame regions can be selected. In addition, a cursor position in the input region may be affirmed by means of a second cursor displayed in the frame region, and further the simultaneous input of characters to the region can be recognized within a text layout.
A selected frame region and attributes set in this frame region may be stored in the attribute storage means, thereby making it possible to set different kinds of attributes in the various frame regions without changing the screen.
Patterns corresponding to the set attributes of the divided frame regions may be read out from the pattern storage means and allocated to particular frame regions. As a result, it is feasible to affirm the attributes set in the individual frame regions at a glance from the allocated patterns without changing the screen.
According to one embodiment of the invention, there must be a wait for an instruction associated with an input destination of the excessive words, if the words are read out in excess of a range of the input region corresponding to the divided frame region. With this arrangement, a degree of freedom for which the text can be created is improved.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 through 9 in combination show one embodiment of a word processor according to the present invention.
FIGS. 1 is a block diagram depicting a construction of the word processor;
FIG. 2 is a diagram for assisting in explaining contents of a frame information memory depicted in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram for assisting in explaining the contents of a data memory illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIGS. 4(a) - 4(d) are flow charts showing the steps for creating frames in the embodiment thereof;
FIGS. 5(a) - 5(c) are explanatory diagrams showing display pictures in the steps for creating the frames;
FIGS. 6 is a flow chart showing the steps for setting attributes in the embodiment thereof;
FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the display pictures for the steps to set the attributes;
FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the steps for inputting frames in the embodiment thereof; and
FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) are explanatory diagrams illustrating display pictures in the steps of inputting the frames.

Turning first to FIG. 1, designated at 40 is a keyboard serving as an input means equipped with alphabetic keys, numeral keys, function keys and instruction keys for inputting a variety of instructions. The keyboard inputs character strings, various and multiple instructions associated with frame editing, figure processing and graphic processing. Note that the input means is composed preferably of a keyboard but may consist of a pointing device such as a tablet unit or a mouse. The keyboard 40 is connected via a keyboard interface 41 to a processing unit and a control unit which will hereinafter be mentioned.
Denoted at 42 is a frame information memory composed of a RAM, which incorporates text frame storage means, format storage means. The numerals 43 stand for a data memory composed similarly of a RAM. Prestored in the frame information memory 42 are plural kinds of text frames each having a size corresponding to a paper size having predetermined fixed dimensions. For every text frame, the frame information memory 42 stores information related to its frame numbers, frame sizes, data regions, attributes and formats. With respect to the format information, text modes such as the number of characters entered in one line and a line feed pitch are stored by using modifiable set values (see FIG. 2). The data memory 43, which consists of a text data memory 43a, an image data memory 43b and a graphic data memory 43c, functions to store information on, e.g., character codes for every data region (see FIG. 3).
Designated at 44 is an external storage unit composed of a floppy disk in which multiple information is stored via a floppy disk interface 45. When creating text by converting a character data inputted from, e.g., the keyboard 40 into words, the external storage unit 44 is employed to store the thus created text. The numeral 46 represents an LCD conceived as a display means, the LCD being capable of forming an input region and/or text frame display region on a single screen and is adapted to display a text frame and words converted on the basis of the character data inputted from the keyboard 40. An LCD interface 47 serves as display control means, acts to convert display signals into character or graphic images. The LCD interface 47 reads out, when effecting, for instance, a word-conversion, the characters from a character generator (CG) 48 and outputs them to the LCD 46. The LCD interface 47 simultaneously outputs the words read out by a word conversion processing unit (explained latera) to the input region and also the text frame read out by a frame edit control unit (also explained later) to the text frame display region respectively in the LCD 46.
Note that the display means is not limited to the LCD 46 but may be constructed by a dot matrix type display unit such as an EL display.
The numeral 49 stands for a frame edit control unit; 50 a word conversion processing unit; and 51 an image/graph processing unit. These control and processing units are composed of 16-bit microprocessors and execute a variety of processes in conformity with programs written to a control data memory 52 consisting of a ROM.
The frame edit control unit 49 incorporates text readout means, symbol converting means, symbol output means, dividing means, frame region selecting means, second cursor display means, input region identifying means, attribute setting means, allocating means, judging means, input destination specifying means, pattern storage means and pattern allocating means.
Based on this construction, the frame edit control unit 49 performs the following processes. To be specific, the text frame readout means reads out one text frame from the frame information memory 42 immediately upon receiving a text frame readout instruction from the keyboard 40.
The symbol converting means sequentially converts the words read out from the readout means (explained later) into symbols on a character by character basis. The symbols to be converted are preferably 1-dot inversion-displayed.
The symbol output means is intended to display the converted symbols in the text frame in conformity with a format stored in the frame information memory 42.
The dividing means works to divide the text frame into a plurality of frame regions.
The frame region selecting means selects one of the divided frame regions.
The second cursor display means displays a second cursor in the frame region, corresponding to the cursor in the input region.
The input region identifying means serves to identify and by means of the display, indicate the frame region within the text frame which corresponds to the input region.
The attribute setting means individually sets the attributes of each of the selected frame regions.
The allocating mans allocates text data and image data inputted to the frame regions to a conversion processing unit or image/graph processing unit (which will be mentioned later with reference to the attributes stored in the frame information memory 42).
The judging means judges whether or not the words read out from a dictionary means (described later) exceed the number of input-allowable lines of the selected frame region.
The input destination specifying means specifies an input destination of the words read out in excess of the number of input-allowable lines when judging the words exceed the number of input-allowable lines.
The pattern storage means stores various kinds of patterns corresponding to the kinds of attributes.
In setting the attributes of the individual frame regions, the pattern allocating means allocates the patterns corresponding to the attributes to the respective frame regions within the text frame after reading out these patterns from the pattern storage means for every frame region.
The word conversion processing unit 50, consisting of readout means and dictionary means, is adapted to convert the character data inputted from the keyboard 40 into words by retrieving word dictionary unit (not illustrated here), and permits the text data memory 43a to store text composed of the thus converted words.
A cursor control unit generally designated at 50a serves as a cursor display means for displaying the cursor indicating its input position in the input region.
The image/graph processing unit 51 consisting of a figure processing means effects the processes relative to a figure input and a graphic input.
The description will now focus on the operation of this embodiment in conjunction with flow charts of FIGS. 4, 6 and 8. It is to be noted that the explanation is made based on three distinct operations, namely a frame creation mode, a frame attribute mode and a frame input mode.

Frame Creation Mode:

The frame creation mode is designed to allow for splitting of the text frame into a plurality of frame regions.
Referring to FIGS. 4(a) - 4(d), when inputting an instruction from the keyboard 40 (step 70) which initiates frame creation, the frame edit control unit 49 calls a frame creation program from the control data memory 52 (step 71). Subsequently, one text frame A is read out from the frame information memory 42, and the text frame A is displayed on the LCD 46. When a [↑] key of cursor moving keys of the keyboard 40 is depressed (step 72), the cursor moves upward by 2 dots (step 73). When depressing the [↓] key (step 74), the cursor moves downward by 2 dots (step 75). When the [→] key is depressed (step 76), the cursor moves right by 2 dots (step 77). When the [←] key is depressed (step 78), the cursor moves left by 2 dots (step 79}. Subsequent to the steps of moving the cursor, when depressing a lateral delimiter key (step 80), judgement is made as to whether or not a longitudinal delimiter is present in the horizontal direction (step 81). If the result is YES, a lateral delimiter line is inputted between the longitudinal delimiters (step 82), and the operation returns to step 72. Whereas if the result if NO in step 80, the task then becomes to judge whether or not a longitudinal key is needed (step 84). In the case of YES, it is required to judge whether or not the lateral delimiter exists in the vertical direction (step85). If the result is YES, a longitudinal delimiter line is inputted between the lateral delimiters (step 86). Whereas if NO, the longitudinal delimiter line is inputted (step 87).
When depressing an "end" key (step 88) after the frame creation is complete, the frame edit control unit 49 calculates various size data of the individual frame regions (step 89), and subsequently inter-standard-character data and inter-standard-line data are called from the format stored in the frame information memory 42 (step 90). The data concerning, for example, the numbers of lines and characters which can be inputted to the respective frame regions are calculated (step 91). The same data which can be inputted thereto are stored in the frame information memory 42 for every frame (step 92).
Turning to FIGS. 5(a) - 5(c), there are shown display contents on the screen of the LCD 46, which are associated with the above-described processes. FIG. 5(a) shows conditions under which the lateral delimiter line is inputted. FIG. 5(b) shows conditions under which the longitudinal delimiter line is inputted. FIG. 5(c) shows condition under which the lateral and longitudinal delimiter lines are inputted.

Frame Attribute Setting Mode:

The frame attribute setting mode is intended to set the attributes in the divided frame regions.
Referring to FIG. 6, when inputting an instruction from the keyboard 40 to initiate setting attributes (step 100), the frame edit control unit49 calls an attribute setting program from the control data memory 52 (step 101). When depressing the [↑] key (step 102), the upper adjacent frame is emphatically displayed step 103). In the case of depressing the [↓] key (step 104), a lower adjacent frame is emphatically displayed (step 105). When depressing the [→] key (step 106), a right adjacent frame is emphatically displayed (step 107). When the [←] key is depressed (step 108), a left adjacent frame is emphatically displayed (step 109). The specific frame regions are selected in the foregoing procedures, and thereafter there must be effected a judgement as to whether or not the image setting key is depressed (step 110). If the result of judgment is YES, a code "2" indicating an image setting process is set in an attribute area of the frame information memory 42 (step 111). If the result is NO in the step 110, the task is to judge whether or not a graph setting key is depressed (step 112). Whereas if YES, a code "3" indicating a graph setting process is set in the attribute area of the frame information memory 42. If there is a NO at step 112, a judgement is made as to whether or not an input prohibition setting key has been depressed (step 114). If YES, a code "4" exhibiting an input prohibition setting process is set in the attribute area of the frame information memory 42 (step 115).
By depressing the "end" key after a variety of setting processes have been completed (step 116), the frame edit control unit 49 calls attribute patterns corresponding to the set attributes (step 117). Subsequently, an attribute pattern start position and a pattern size are set (step 118), and the attribute patterns are allocated to the respective frame regions within the text frame (step 119), thus completing the setting processes of the frame attributes. If the "end" key is not depressed in step 116, the operation returns to step 102. Namely, the attributes are set in the next frame region.
FIG. 7(a) illustrates an attribute setting screen, in which the symbol A represents a text frame drawn with a broken line, and B denotes a frame region, indicated by a solid line, for permitting attribute setting and a format change. The frame region B is created in the frame creation mode, wherein it is, as illustrated in FIG. 7(a), disposed in a position of a first frame (setting region B) as its initial state, and movements per frame can be performed by manipulating the cursor moving key.
FIG. 7(b) depicts an attribute pattern display picture in which the plurality of divided frame regions are displayed with their different patterns, whereby the attributes of the respective frame regions can be identified at a glance.

Frame Input Mode:

The frame input mode is designed for inputting the information whether by characters, images or graphs for every divided frame region.
Turning to FIG. 8, the first step is to judge whether or not the frame selecting key of the keyboard 40 has been depressed (step 130). If YES, a frame (corresponding frame) of the selected frame region is emphatically displayed (step 131), and an input region is also displayed (step 132). When the input frame selecting key is not selected in the step 130, the first frame is emphatically displayed (step 133), and an input region of the first frame is then displayed (step 134). When the input region is displayed, a second cursor is displayed (flickering) in a corresponding position within the emphatically displayed frame (sentence frame) so that the second cursor corresponds to the position of the cursor in the input region (step 135). The next step is to judge whether or not a particular character key has been depressed (step 136). If YES, the words converted on the basis of the information which has been inputted and read are stored in the text data memory 43a (step 137), and a display element in the text frame is 1-dot inversion-displayed with respect to one character of the converted word (step 138). Subsequent to this step, the number of remaining characters which can be inputted is calculated (step 139). Then a judgement is made as to whether or not the number of inputted characters will exceed the frame capacity (step 140). If the number of remaining characters is greater than the capacity, a subsequent processing menu shown in FIG. 9(b) is displayed (step 141). Then judgement is executed as to whether or not an input destination of the next frame is to be selected (step 142). When the next frame is selected, the operation moves back to step 131. That is, the excessive characters can be inputted to the next selected frame region.
if NO in the step 142, where the excessive characters are to be inputted to the present frame region, for instance, the next frame region is not selected and shortening of an inter-line distance is executed, there must be executed a judgement about whether or not the format setting is selected (step 143). In the case of YES, the program moves to a format setting mode in which inter-line and inter-character modifications can be effected. If NO in the step 143, it is necessary to judge whether or not the input continues (step 144). When the result is YES, the operation returns to step 130. Whereas if NO, it reverts to the step 142.
In case the character key is not inputted in the step 136, it is necessary to determine whether or not other edit keys have been depressed (step 145). If YES, the program moves to another edit mode. Whereas if NO, there must a judgement made about whether or not the end key has been depressed (step 146). When the result is YES, the process is terminated. If NO, the operation goes back to the step 130.
If NO in the step 140, i.e., when the number of inputted characters does not exceed the capacity, the number of remaining characters that can be inputted is displayed on the lower part of the screen of the LCD 46 (step 147).
FIG. 9(a) shows a frame input screen, wherein an input region, a format and a layout of a divided text frame are respectively displayed.
FIG. 9(b) illustrates a screen of the next processing menu displayed when a text is inputted and exceeds one frame. The next processing menu includes the following elements: (1) a shift to the next frame, (2) format setting, and (3) continuance of input. In accordance with this menu, if the volume of text exceeds one frame region, the operator is allowed to select the next input destination.
Although only one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed and described, it is apparent that other embodiments and modifications of the invention may be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope invention as defined by the claims. The same effects as those in the present invention can be obtained, if the word processor is designed for, e.g., European languages or Japanese, or includes a computer having text editing function.

Claims

A word processor with a page layout display facility, comprising:
display frame storage means (42) for storing a plurality of display frames;

format storage means (42) for storing a plurality of text formats;

input means (40) for entering data;

means (49) for retrieving a display frame from the display frame storage means;

means (49) for selecting a text format; and

display means (46) for displaying the display frame, and an input area with a cursor therein;
CHARACTERISED IN THAT
the word processor comprises dictionary means (50) for storing a plurality of words;

readout means (50) for accessing dictionary means to obtain words for display, corresponding to character data entered by the input means (40);

conversion means (49) for sequentially converting the words into symbols; and

control means (49) for concurrently displaying the words in the input area, and said symbols in the display frame in accordance with a selected text format.
A word processor according to Claim 1 comprising means (49) for dividing the display frame into a plurality of frame regions; and
means (49) for selecting a frame region such that a selected frame region is concurrently displayable in the input area and within the display frame.
A word processor according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 comprising means (49) for displaying a second cursor in a selected frame region in a position corresponding to that of the cursor in the input area.
A word processor according to any preceding Claim comprising means (49) for assigning attributes to a selected frame region, which attributes denote a type of data for display therein.
A word processor according to Claim 4 comprising means for displaying an identifying pattern in a frame region according to attributes assigned thereto.
A word processor according to any preceding Claim comprising means (49) for detecting when the maximum text capacity of a selected frame region is reached; and means (49) for changing the text format of the frame region or selecting another frame region such that further text data input is displayable.